1954–55 Brentford F.C. season

During the 1954–55 English football season, Brentford competed in the Football League Third Division South. In the club's first season back in the third-tier since 1932–33, the Bees finished in mid-table. The season was memorable for the debuts of youth products Jim Towers and George Francis, who went on to dominate Brentford's goalscoring charts until 1961.

Brentford
1954–55 season
ChairmanFrank Davis
ManagerBill Dodgin Sr.
StadiumGriffin Park
Third Division South11th
FA CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Dudley (18)
All: Dudley (20)
Highest home attendance18,756
Lowest home attendance4,960
Average home league attendance11,077

Season summary

The 1954–55 Third Division South season marked Brentford's fall from the top-flight to the basement in just seven years.[1] It was the Bees' first Third Division South season since 1932–33 and though he had a limited budget,[1] manager Bill Dodgin Sr. did not conduct a fire sale and managed to keep his squad intact.[2] Forwards George Stobbart, Jeff Taylor and goalkeeper Sonny Feehan were the only players to arrive at Griffin Park.[2] Ageing full back Fred Monk was released, goalkeeper Alf Jefferies transferred to Torquay United and the £10,000 fee from the sale of Jimmy Bloomfield to Arsenal was spent on relieving the club's debts.[2] The products of Alf Bew's youth team were to be given more of a chance than in the previous Second Division seasons.[3]

Brentford drew four of the first six matches of the season and Bees slowly pulled away from the relegation places, before moving into the top 10 after three wins in a four match spell in late September 1954.[4] An uneven period followed through to February 1955, with the club drifting slowly towards the re-election places (the £10,000 sale of forward Billy Dare to West Ham United was offset by the emergence of youth product Jim Towers),[2] before rising back to an 11th-place finish after just three defeats in the final 18 matches of the season.[4] Frank Dudley (20, George Stobbart (19) and Jim Towers (16) led the club's goalscoring chart,[3] but while 82 league goals were scored, 82 were also conceded, which was amongst the highest in the Third Division South.[5]

The FA Cup proved to be an entertaining distraction, with Brentford entering at the first round stage for the first time since the 1932–33 season.[4] Non-league clubs Nuneaton Borough and Crook Town were beaten in the first two rounds and it took two replays to get past Bradford City in the third.[4] The Bees fell to Newcastle United at St James' Park in the fourth round, but they gave their First Division hosts a scare with goals from George Stobbart and Johnny Rainford in the 3–2 defeat.[3]

A number of club records were set or equalled during the season:

  • Most home league goals conceded in a season: 36[6]
  • Highest away league aggregate score: 10 (4–6 versus Southampton, 21 August 1954)[7]
  • Most league games without a clean sheet: 20 (25 September 1954 – 19 February 1955)[7]
  • Quickest league goalscorer: 10 seconds – George Stobbart (versus Aldershot, 6 November 1954)[19]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
9 Coventry City 46 18 11 17 67 59 1.136 47
10 Southend United 46 17 12 17 83 80 1.038 46
11 Brentford 46 16 14 16 82 82 1.000 46
11 Norwich City 46 18 10 18 60 60 1.000 46
13 Northampton Town 46 19 8 19 73 81 0.901 46
Source: rsssf.com

Results
The programme for a floodlit friendly versus Grazer SK at Griffin Park on 16 February 1955.
Brentford's goal tally listed first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Third Division South
No. DateOpponentVenueResult AttendanceScorer(s)
1 21 August 1954Southampton A4–6 21,454Robertson (2), Dudley, Stobbart
2 26 August 1954Shrewsbury TownH2–2 12,743Dudley, Maloney (og)
3 28 August 1954Coventry CityH2–3 13,057Stobbart, McDonnell (og)
4 30 August 1954Shrewsbury TownA2–2 8,352Stobbart, Towers
5 4 September 1954Queens Park RangersH1–1 18,756Heath
6 8 September 1954ReadingA0–0 9,692
7 11 September 1954Brighton & Hove AlbionA4–3 17,361Towers, Heath, Robertson, Dudley
8 16 September 1954ReadingH2–2 9,639Dudley, Stobbart
9 18 September 1954Torquay UnitedH4–2 13,552Towers, Heath, Stobbart, Webber (og)
10 23 September 1954Gillingham H3–0 9,241Dudley (2), Heath
11 25 September 1954Bristol CityA1–2 28,980Dudley
12 29 September 1954GillinghamA1–2 8,202Towers
13 2 October 1954Walsall H0–2 12,584
14 9 October 1954Exeter City A2–3 9,700Robertson, Rainford
15 16 October 1954Colchester UnitedH3–2 10,218Robertson, Stobbart, Rainford
16 23 October 1954Norwich CityA0–1 20,148
17 30 October 1954Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H1–3 12,037Towers
18 6 November 1954AldershotA3–2 7,178Stobbart, Towers, Heath
19 13 November 1954Swindon TownH4–2 10,634Stobbart (2), Heath, Towers
20 27 November 1954Northampton TownH1–3 10,029Croy (og)
21 4 December 1954WatfordA2–2 10,438Towers (2)
22 18 December 1954SouthamptonH0–3 9,318
23 25 December 1954MillwallH3–1 13,591Stobbart (2), Towers
24 27 December 1954MillwallA2–2 20,034Anslow (og), Hurley (og)
25 1 January 1955Coventry City A0–1 14,481
26 15 January 1955Queens Park RangersA1–1 9,835Dudley
27 22 January 1955Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–3 10,173Stobbart, Bristow
28 5 February 1955Torquay UnitedA2–4 6,117Dudley, Sperrin
29 12 February 1955Bristol CityH2–2 11,563Rainford, Robertson
30 19 February 1955WalsallA2–2 9,028Robertson, Francis
31 26 February 1955Exeter City H1–0 7,454Stobbart
32 5 March 1955Colchester UnitedA2–3 8,254Francis, Dudley
33 12 March 1955Norwich CityH1–0 11,155Stobbart
34 19 March 1955Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA2–1 8,241Coote, Taylor
35 26 March 1955AldershotH1–1 8,755Taylor
36 2 April 1955Swindon Town A1–1 5,924Taylor
37 8 April 1955Leyton OrientH2–0 18,093Dudley, Towers (pen)
38 9 April 1955Crystal PalaceH3–0 12,013Towers, Dudley (2)
39 11 April 1955Leyton OrientA1–0 9,529Dudley
40 16 April 1955Northampton TownA2–1 6,980Taylor, Towers
41 21 April 1955Newport County A1–3 7,926Rainford
42 23 April 1955WatfordH3–2 9,394Dudley, Towers (2, 1 pen)
43 27 April 1955 Crystal Palace A 1–1 8,170 Andrews (og)
44 30 April 1955 Southend United A 2–3 6,464 Dudley (2)
45 2 May 1955 Newport County H 1–0 4,960 Stobbart
46 5 May 1955 Southend United H 2–2 5,812 Heath, Dudley

FA Cup
Main article: 1954–55 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult Attendance Scorer(s) Notes
1R 20 November 1954 Nuneaton Borough H 2–1 13,180 Dare, Stobbart
2R 11 December 1954 Crook Town H 4–1 14,300 Rainford, Stobbart (2), Towers
3R 8 January 1955 Bradford City H 1–1 12,120 Dudley
3R (replay) 12 January 1955 Bradford City A 2–2 (a.e.t.) 7,963 Dare, Dudley
3R (2nd replay) 20 January 1955 Bradford City N 1–0 5,961 Dare [nb 1]
4R29 January 1955Newcastle United A2–3 46,574 Stobbart, Rainford

Playing squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 1954–55 season.
Pos. Name Nat. Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Notes
Goalkeepers
GK Gerry Cakebread (1936-04-01)1 April 1936 (aged 18) Youth 1954 Amateur
GK Sonny Feehan (1926-09-17)17 September 1926 (aged 27) Northampton Town 1954
GK Reg Newton (1926-06-30)30 June 1926 (aged 28) Leyton Orient 1949
Defenders
DF Alan Bassham (1933-10-03)3 October 1933 (aged 20) Youth 1953
DF Ken Coote (1928-05-19)19 May 1928 (aged 26) Wembley 1949
DF Ken Horne (1926-06-25)25 June 1926 (aged 28) Blackpool 1950
DF George Lowden (1933-03-02)2 March 1933 (aged 21) Unattached 1951
Midfielders
HB Wally Bragg (1929-07-08)8 July 1929 (aged 25) Twickenham Celtic 1946
HB George Bristow (1933-06-25)25 June 1933 (aged 21) Youth 1950
HB Ian Dargie (1931-10-03)3 October 1931 (aged 22) Tonbridge 1952
HB Leonard Geard (1934-02-12)12 February 1934 (aged 20) Fulham 1953
HB Tony Harper (1925-05-26)26 May 1925 (aged 29) Headington United 1948
HB Roy Hart (1933-05-30)30 May 1933 (aged 21) Youth 1955
HB Frank Latimer (c) (1923-10-03)3 October 1923 (aged 30) Snowdown Colliery Welfare 1945
HB Terry Robinson (1929-11-08)8 November 1929 (aged 24) Loughborough College 1954 Amateur
Forwards
FW Frank Dudley (1925-05-09)9 May 1925 (aged 29) Cardiff City 1953
FW George Francis (1934-02-04)4 February 1934 (aged 20) Youth 1955
FW Dennis Heath (1934-09-28)28 September 1934 (aged 19) Youth 1954
FW Johnny Rainford (1930-12-11)11 December 1930 (aged 23) Cardiff City 1953
FW James Robertson (1929-02-20)20 February 1929 (aged 25) Arsenal 1953
FW Len Roe (1932-01-11)11 January 1932 (aged 22) Ruislip Manor 1951
FW Billy Sperrin (1922-04-09)9 April 1922 (aged 32) Guildford City 1949
FW George Stobbart (1921-01-09)9 January 1921 (aged 33) Millwall 1954
FW Jeff Taylor (1930-09-20)20 September 1930 (aged 23) Fulham 1954
FW Jim Towers (1933-04-15)15 April 1933 (aged 21) Youth 1954
Players who left the club mid-season
FW Billy Dare (1927-02-14)14 February 1927 (aged 27) Hendon 1948 Transferred to West Ham United
  • Sources: 100 Years Of Brentford,[3] Timeless Bees[8]

Coaching staff
Name Role
Bill Dodgin Sr. Manager
Jimmy Bain Assistant Manager
Tommy Eggleston Trainer

Statistics

Appearances and goals
Brentford's highest appearance-makers in each position during the Football League season.
Pos Nat Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Gerry Cakebread 3 0 0 0 3 0
GK Sonny Feehan 25 0 6 0 31 0
GK Reg Newton 18 0 0 0 18 0
DF Alan Bassham 17 0 0 0 17 0
DF Ken Coote 37 1 6 0 43 1
DF Ken Horne 35 0 6 0 41 0
DF George Lowden 10 0 0 0 10 0
HB Wally Bragg 9 0 0 0 9 0
HB George Bristow 30 1 5 0 35 1
HB Ian Dargie 20 0 2 0 22 0
HB Leonard Geard 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB Tony Harper 26 0 5 0 31 0
HB Roy Hart 2 0 0 0 2 0
HB Frank Latimer 28 0 5 0 33 0
HB Terry Robinson 801 090
FW Billy Dare 8 0 3 3 11 3
FW Frank Dudley 34 18 4 2 38 20
FW George Francis 3 2 0 0 3 2
FW Dennis Heath 35 7 4 0 39 7
FW Johnny Rainford 33 4 6 2 39 6
FW James Robertson 3171 0 327
FW Len Roe 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW Billy Sperrin 3 1 0 0 3 1
FW George Stobbart 45 15 6 4 51 19
FW Jeff Taylor 13 4 0 0 13 4
FW Jim Towers 31 15 6 1 37 16
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[3]

Goalscorers
Pos. Nat Player FL3 FAC Total
FW Frank Dudley 18 2 20
FW George Stobbart 15 4 19
FW Jim Towers 15 1 16
FW Dennis Heath 7 0 7
FW James Robertson 7 0 7
FW Johnny Rainford 4 2 6
FW Jeff Taylor 4 0 4
FW Billy Dare 0 3 3
FW George Francis 2 0 2
HB George Bristow 1 0 1
DF Ken Coote 1 0 1
FW Billy Sperrin 1 0 1
Opponents 7 0 7
Total821294
  • Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
  • Source: 100 Years Of Brentford[3]

Representative appearances
Pos. Nat Player Team Caps Goals Ref
HB Johnny Rainford Third Division South 1 1 [2]

Management
Name Nat From To Record All Comps Record League
PWDLW %PWDLW %
Bill Dodgin Sr. 21 August 1954 5 May 1955 52 19 16 17 036.54 46 16 14 16 034.78

Summary
Games played52 (46 Third Division South, 6 FA Cup)
Games won19 (16 Third Division South, 3 FA Cup)
Games drawn16 (14 Third Division South, 2 FA Cup)
Games lost17 (16 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Goals scored94 (82 Third Division South, 12 FA Cup)
Goals conceded90 (82 Third Division South, 8 FA Cup)
Clean sheets9 (8 Third Division South, 1 FA Cup)
Biggest league win3–0 on two occasions
Worst league defeat3–0 versus Southampton, 18 December 1954
Most appearances51, George Stobbart (45 Third Division South, 6 FA Cup)
Top scorer (league)18, Frank Dudley
Top scorer (all competitions)20, Frank Dudley

Transfers & loans
Players transferred in
Date Pos. Name Previous Club Fee Ref.
May 1954 FW George Stobbart Millwall Exchange [9]
June 1954 FW Wendell Morgan Cardiff City Free [10]
August 1954 GK Sonny Feehan Northampton Town Free [11]
August 1954 FW Jeff Taylor Fulham n/a [12]
September 1954 HB Terry Robinson Loughborough College Amateur [13]
Players transferred out
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Fee Ref.
May 1954 FW Terry Ledgerton Millwall Exchange [9]
June 1954 GK Alf Jefferies Torquay United n/a [14]
July 1954 FW Jimmy Bloomfield Arsenal £10,000 [15]
January 1955 FW Billy Dare West Ham United £10,000 [2]
Players released
Date Pos. Name Subsequent club Join date Ref.
May 1955 HB Tony Harper Headington United 1955 [16]
May 1955 HB Roy Hart n/a n/a [17]
May 1955 DF Ken Moffitt Berwick Rangers 1955 [18]

Notes
  1. Match played at Arsenal Stadium, London.

References
  1. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford Complete History - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  2. White 1989, p. 215-217.
  3. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. p. 383. ISBN 0951526200.
  4. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 1954-1955 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford League Table 1954-1955 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  6. Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopedia. Yore Publications. pp. 78–79. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  7. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford scoring and sequence records - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  8. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Yore Publications. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  9. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 155.
  10. "Wendell Morgan". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  11. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 55.
  12. "Jeff Taylor". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  13. "Terry Robinson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  14. "Alf Jefferies". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  15. "Jimmy Bloomfield | Arsenal.com". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  16. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 72.
  17. Haynes & Coumbe 2006, p. 73.
  18. Ken Moffitt at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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